Method and system for delayed payment of prepaid cards

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems provide prepaid cards. The method includes, responsive to receiving a delayed payment at a purchase terminal, providing a prepaid card to a purchaser, the prepaid card redeemable for a consideration by a card recipient. The method includes processing the delayed payment. The method includes, responsive to an expiration of a predetermined amount of time, determine if a balance remains on the prepaid card. The method includes refunding a remaining balance.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/134,149 entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DELAYEDPAYMENT OF PREPAID CARDS”, filed Jun. 5, 2008, and which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

A prepaid card includes a prepaid card identifier and is associated witha consideration for which the prepaid card can be redeemed. Theconsideration can be anything of value to a card recipient, such asproducts or services. Partial redemption is possible if theconsideration can be prorated. For example, a prepaid card can be aretail store gift card with a dollar value, a prepaid cellular airtimecard, or any other prepaid card that redeems for multiple products orinstances of a service.

In one embodiment, a card purchaser purchases a prepaid card. The cardpurchaser can then provide the prepaid card to a card recipient, forexample, as a gift. Such prepaid cards currently have annual US sales of$25 billion.

The card purchaser can purchase prepaid cards in bulk for distributionas gifts in promotional or marketing activities. Purchasing multipleprepaid cards in this manner can allow the card purchaser to obtain avolume discount from a prepaid card provider.

Such prepaid cards are distributed to card recipients as part of apromotion or marketing activity. Many prepaid cards can remain unused bythe card recipients. This creates waste for the card purchaser in theunused prepaid cards or prepaid card balances. Further, paying the cardpurchase price does not benefit the card purchaser until the prepaidcards are redeemed by the card recipients, when the promotional ormarketing benefits accrue.

Previously, a card purchaser pays for a prepaid card at the time ofpurchase, for example, with currency or a currency-equivalent. A cardpurchaser wishing to purchase one or more prepaid cards from a retaillocation, such as a store or an automated kiosk, receives the prepaidcards in exchange for payment. This is disadvantageous to the cardpurchaser if there will be delay between the purchase and the redemptionof the prepaid card. The delay can tie up the card purchaser's liquidityand currency while providing no benefit to the card recipient until theprepaid card is redeemed.

Previously, retail stores receive prepaid cards from wholesalers forin-store placement and sale to card purchasers. In some instances,retail stores only pay the wholesalers for the prepaid cards when theprepaid cards are purchased by the card purchasers. This is advantageousto the retail store by minimizing inventory and carrying costs of theprepaid cards. However, as retail stores compete with each other toobtain better distribution arrangements with prepaid card providers, itwould be advantageous to offer a more flexible payment system.

Thus, an improved method of charging the card purchaser for the prepaidcards is needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example prepaid card.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example system for providing delayed payment ofprepaid cards.

FIG. 3A illustrates a procedure for selling a delayed payment prepaidcard.

FIG. 3B illustrates a procedure for redeeming a delayed payment prepaidcard.

FIG. 3C illustrates a procedure for crediting an unused prepaid cardbalance.

FIG. 3D illustrates a procedure for redeeming a prepaid card for adomain name.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example data structure for storing prepaid cardinformation.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example data entry for storing prepaid cardinformation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A prepaid card is sold to a card purchaser in exchange for a delayedpayment, where the delayed payment is charged to a card purchaseraccount, for example, a checking account. If the prepaid card is notused within a predetermined amount of time, the delayed payment iscredited back to the card purchaser account. A partial balance can becredited if the prepaid card was partially used. A service charge may bededucted from the credited delayed payment.

In one embodiment, the prepaid card is redeemed for a domain nameregistration. The purchaser or administrator can approve or deny domainname registration requests.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example prepaid card. For example, a prepaid cardcan be a scratchcard (also called a scratch off, scratch ticket,scratcher, scratchie, scratch-it, scratch game, or instant game) in theform of a card, usually made of cardboard or plastic. This facilitatesuser transportation of the scratch card by users and improves userfamiliarity and comfort.

The prepaid card can include a title 100 printed on its face. The title100 can be text, graphics, or any other visual representation ofinformation.

The prepaid card can also have instructions and graphics 102 printed orotherwise displayed on its face. The instructions and graphics 102 canbe a combination of text and graphics. Additional text and graphics canbe included on a backside of the prepaid card.

The prepaid card can include one or more concealed areas 104 thatcontain information. The concealed area 104 can be covered by an opaquesubstance such as latex that cannot be seen through, but can bescratched off or otherwise removed. Concealed information can include aprepaid card identifier.

Alternatively, the concealed area 104 can be covered with a peel-offstrip configured to be easily removed by the user. The strip is opaqueand cannot be seen through, but can be easily removed by the user toreveal the concealed information. Alternative coverings that are easilyremoved by the user can also be used.

The prepaid card can be individually packaged in a transparent material,such as plastic, to protect it from handling during shipping and saleand yet allow its printed surfaces to be visible to a user or purchaser.The prepaid card can be packaged together in groups of prepaid cards. Inone example, prepaid cards of a same type are packaged together forsale. In another example, prepaid cards with complementaryconsiderations are packaged together for sale.

Alternatively, the prepaid card can be any object configured to securelyconvey a prepaid card identifier to a gift recipient. For example, anemail sent to the gift recipient's email address can contain the prepaidcard identifier. An automated telephone call to a gift recipient's phonenumber can convey the prepaid card identifier to the gift recipient inaudio format. Alternatively, the prepaid card identifier can be securelymailed to a gift recipient via regular post.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example system for providing delayed payment ofprepaid cards. The system sells a prepaid card 200 to a card purchaser206 in exchange for a delayed payment. The delayed payment is notprocessed until a card recipient 212 has redeemed the prepaid card 200.

A prepaid card 200 can be sold by an operator 202 at a point of salesterminal 204 to a purchaser 206. For example, the prepaid card can be asillustrated in FIG. 1. The prepaid card 200 can be sold from a point ofsales terminal 204 operated by the operator 202 at a retail location,such as a convenience store, a supermarket, or any other locationconfigured to sell products or services to the purchaser 206.

In an alternative embodiment, the prepaid card 200 can be sold from anautomated kiosk placed at a high-traffic location, such as a subwaystop, a pedestrian walkway, or a similar location accessible to thepurchaser 206. The automated kiosk does not require an operator 202. Theautomated kiosk can function as a point of sales terminal 204 within thesystem.

The purchaser 206 receives the prepaid card 200 in exchange for adelayed payment. For example, the delayed payment can be a credit cardaccount that will not be charged until the prepaid card 200 is redeemedfor its associated consideration. Alternatively, a debit card, an escrowaccount, a bank account, or any other form of currency capable of beingprocessed at a later time can be used.

In an alternative example, the purchaser 206 can pay for the prepaidcard 200 immediately, and a refund will be provided by the system at alater time. For example, a refund can be provided if the prepaid card200 is not redeemed before a predetermined expiration date. Thissimplifies the payment processing by not requiring payment in a formthat can be processed at a later time.

The point of sales terminal 204 is in communications with a network 208.The network 208 can be any network configured to carry digitalinformation, such as the Internet, a private network, or any othernetwork. Communications over the network 208 can be encrypted orotherwise secured to protect privacy and ensure security.

A recipient 212 can receive the prepaid card 200. For example, therecipient 212 can be the same person as the purchaser 206.

Alternatively, the recipient 212 can be a different person from thepurchaser 206. In this example, the purchaser 206 purchased the prepaidcard 200 as a gift for the recipient 212. Alternatively, the recipient212 can be a target for a marketing or promotional activity conducted bythe purchaser 206.

The recipient 212 can access a user terminal 210 in order to redeem theprepaid card 200. As discussed above, the prepaid card 200 can beredeemed for consideration, such as products or services. The terminal210 can be in communications with the network 208.

In an alternative example, the recipient 212 takes the prepaid card 200to a physical redemption center for redemption. For example, the prepaidcard 200 can be redeemed for a physical service such as a car wash,laundry, or similar services that are most efficiently redeemed at aphysical redemption center. The physical redemption center can include auser terminal 210 used to confirm the prepaid card 200's validity beforeredemption. The user terminal 210 at the physical redemption center canbe used by an operator of the physical redemption center to interactwith the servers, discussed below.

In an alternative example, the user terminal 210 is in communicationwith a different network from the point of sales network 204. Thealternative network (not depicted) can be any network configured tocarry digital information. Similar to the network 208, informationtransmitted over the alternative network can be encrypted or otherwisesecured.

In an alternative example, if the prepaid card 200 is a multi-use cardvalid for a plurality of redemptions, a delayed payment can be processedfor each redemption. This allows the payment by the purchaser 206 to bemore closely tied to the consideration received by the recipient 212.

A card server 214 is in communications with the point of sales terminal204 and the user terminal 210 over the network 208. The card server 214maintains a list of prepaid cards in circulation and data associatedwith the prepaid cards.

The card server 214 receives an activation request from the point ofsales terminal 204 at the time of sale of the prepaid card 200. A recordin memory 216 representing the prepaid card 200 is updated to reflectits activation status, so that the prepaid card 200 can later beredeemed by the recipient 212. Activation of the prepaid card 200 at thetime of sale can be a security function to prevent redeeming counterfeitprepaid cards or prepaid cards that were not paid for.

Similarly, the card server 214 receives a redemption request from theuser terminal 210 at the time of redemption of the prepaid card 200. Thecard server 214 determines whether the prepaid card 200 is valid andactivated before allowing redemption to proceed. The record representingthe prepaid card 200 stored in memory 216 can be updated to reflect itsredeemed status.

A prepaid card 200 can be invalid if it was not properly activated, itsprepaid card identifier cannot be found by the card server 214, it hasexpired, or another reason. If the prepaid card 200 is valid, theredemption request is forwarded to a redemption server 218 forprocessing.

The card server 214 also processes the payment for the prepaid card 200when the redemption request is forwarded. As discussed previously, thepurchaser 206 provided a delayed payment that can be charged orcollected at the time of redemption. Alternatively, the purchaser 206can provide payment immediately at purchase and be entitled to a refundat a later time, as discussed above.

The memory 216 is accessible to the card server 214 and stores necessarydata related to the sale and redemption of the prepaid card 200. Forexample, the memory 216 stores a data structure illustrated in FIGS. 4Aand 4B representing the prepaid cards of the system.

A redemption server 218 can handle redemption of the prepaid card 200. Aservice can be redeemed by transmitting an authorization to a serviceprovider authorizing the service provider to provide the requestedservice to the recipient 212. A product can be redeemed by initiating afulfillment process that will ship the product to the recipient 212.Alternatively, a voucher can be transmitted to the user terminal 210 forprinting by the recipient 212 for redemption at a physical redemptioncenter.

In an example embodiment, the purchaser 206 can access an Internetweb-based control panel to monitor a status of the prepaid card 200. Thepurchaser 206 can input identifying information regarding the recipient212 via the web-based control panel or at the time of purchase of thecard at the POS terminal 204. This facilitates the purchaser 206 fromeasily determining the status of each prepaid card 200 purchased andgiven as a gift.

FIG. 3A illustrates a procedure for selling a delayed payment prepaidcard. A prepaid card is sold to a purchaser and is later redeemed by arecipient. The prepaid card can be sold by an operator at a point ofsales terminal, from an automated kiosk, or from any other authorizedseller of prepaid cards. For example, the procedure can execute on thepoint of sales terminal. A delayed payment made by the purchaser for theprepaid card is not processed until the prepaid card is redeemed.

In 300, the point of sales terminal determines whether an indication ofa purchaser's desire to purchase a prepaid card is received. Theoperator of the point of sales terminal inputs a command initiating aprepaid card sales process responsive to a purchaser request to purchasea prepaid card.

Alternatively, the prepaid card can be displayed in a display area of aretail store accessible by the purchaser. The purchaser can take aprepaid card to the point of sales terminal for purchase.

If an indication is received, the point of sales terminal proceeds to302. If no indication is received, the point of sales terminal waits at300 for the indication.

In 302, the point of sales terminal optionally receives a desiredquantity of prepaid cards to be purchased. For example, the operator caninput the desired quantity of prepaid cards into the point of salesterminal responsive to a purchaser indication.

If the prepaid cards are taken by the purchaser to the point of salesterminal, the desired quantity of prepaid cards is equal to a number ofprepaid cards brought to the point of sales terminal by the purchaser.

Alternatively, multiple prepaid cards can be packaged together for sale.This allows the purchaser to purchase a predetermined quantity ofprepaid cards in one package.

In 304, the point of sales terminal optionally activates the prepaidcard. Activating the prepaid card can include determining a prepaid cardidentifier and transmitting the prepaid card identifier to a server,where a record in a data structure representing the prepaid card isupdated to reflect its activation status. The activation process can bea security measure, as discussed above.

In 306, the point of sales terminal optionally processes a servicecharge. The system can collect a service charge for the feature ofdelayed payment on the prepaid card. This service charge can beprocessed at the time of sale of the prepaid card. For example, theservice charge can be a fixed fee or a percentage of a prepaid cardvalue.

Alternatively, the service charge can be processed at a later time, forexample, when the delayed payment is processed.

Alternatively, a service charge is not charged.

In 308, the point of sales terminal can update the server. The point ofsales terminal can transmit a message to the server over a networkindicating the prepaid card has been sold. The server can then trackwhich prepaid cards have been sold and are awaiting redemption, andwhich prepaid cards remain on store shelves awaiting sale.

In 310, the point of sales terminal provides the purchased prepaid cardto the purchaser. The operator of the point of sales terminal canphysically hand over the purchased prepaid card to the purchaser.

The point of sales terminal also receives a delayed payment from thepurchaser. As discussed above, the delayed payment can be any form ofpayment that can be processed at a later time when the prepaid card isredeemed.

In 312, the point of sales terminal optionally provides a receipt to thepurchaser. The receipt can include a prepaid card description, theprepaid card identifier, a purchase price, a description of the delayedpayment process, redemption options, and an expiration date, ifapplicable. The receipt can also include a machine-readable coderepresenting the prepaid card identifier, for use in checking a statusof the prepaid card, discussed below.

In 314, the point of sales terminal exits the procedure.

In an alternative embodiment, the prepaid card is sold from an automatedkiosk. In this example, the purchaser indicates a selection and quantityof the desired prepaid card, and the kiosk dispenses the prepaid cardafter a delayed payment has been received.

FIG. 3B illustrates a procedure for redeeming a delayed payment prepaidcard. A prepaid card is sold to a purchaser as illustrated in FIG. 3A.The prepaid card is redeemed by a recipient for a consideration at auser terminal in communication with a card server. For example, therecipient can be the same person as the purchaser, or a differentperson. The procedure can execute on the card server.

In 350, the card server determines whether a redemption request isreceived. For example, a recipient can access a user terminal that isconfigured to submit redemption requests to the card server. Forexample, a user terminal can be a computing accessible to the recipient,or a terminal at a physical redemption location.

If a redemption request is received, the card server proceeds to 352. Ifno redemption request is received, the card server waits for theredemption request at 350.

In 352, the card server determines whether the received prepaid cardidentifier is valid. The card server checks whether the received prepaidcard identifier matches a set of valid prepaid card identifiers inmemory. For example, prepaid card identifiers can be stored in a datastructure as illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The card server can alsocheck whether the prepaid card associated with the prepaid cardidentifier has been validly activated, has not expired, or otherwiseensure the prepaid card is valid.

If the prepaid card identifier is valid, the card server proceeds to354. If the prepaid card identifier is not valid, the card serverdisplays an error message and proceeds to 362, where the procedureexits.

In 354, the card server initiates a redemption procedure to provide theredeemed consideration to the recipient. For example, the card servercan transmit an authorization to a redemption server that provides theconsideration. If the prepaid card is redeemed for a physical good, theredemption server can initiate a fulfillment procedure to locate andship an appropriate product to the recipient. If the physical good is tobe redeemed at a physical redemption location, the redemption serverauthorizes the release of the physical good by the physical redemptionlocation.

If the prepaid card is to be redeemed for a service, the redemptionserver transmits an authorization to a service provider to provide theservice to the recipient. If the service is provided at a physicallocation, such as laundry service, the redemption server transmits anauthorization to the service provider's location. If the service isprovided online, the redemption server electronically transmits anauthorization to an online service provider.

In 356, the card server processes a delayed payment for the prepaidcard. The delayed payment is received previously when the prepaid cardis purchased, discussed above. The card server processes the delayedpayment, for example, by charging the associated credit card account thevalue of the prepaid card plus a service charge, if any. Alternativeforms of delayed payments can also be processed.

It will be appreciated that the server can provide the redeemedconsideration and process the delayed payment in any order, as long asthey are executed substantially concurrently in time.

In 358, the card server optionally tests whether a status request isreceived. The card purchaser can submit a request to view a status and aprepaid card identifier. The prepaid card identifier identifies theprepaid card for which the status is requested.

The card purchaser can submit the request from a personal computer or anautomated kiosk. For example, the status of a prepaid card can includewhether it has been redeemed, whether the prepaid card has expired, orany other administrative information useful to the purchaser.

In one example, the receipt of prepaid card purchase includes theprepaid card identifier in a machine-readable format. The card purchasersimply scans the receipt at an automated kiosk to view the status of theprepaid card.

If a status request is received, the card server proceeds to 360. If nostatus request is received, the card server exits the procedure in 362.

In 360, the card server transmits a prepaid card status for display.Responsive to the status request received in 358, the card serverretrieves the status of the prepaid card from memory. Prepaid cardstatus can be stored in the data structure illustrated in FIGS. 4A and4B.

The prepaid card status is then transmitted to the personal computer orkiosk used by the card purchaser to submit the status request.

In 362, the card server exits the procedure.

In one example, the user terminal is a computing device accessible tothe recipient, and the redeemed product or service is delivered to therecipient. In another example, the user terminal is at a physicalredemption center, where the recipient redeems the prepaid card. Theuser terminal can be any computing device from which the recipientredeems the prepaid card for the associated products or services.

FIG. 3C illustrates a procedure for crediting an unused prepaid cardbalance. The procedure can execute on a system as illustrated above. In3000, a server tests whether a redemption request has been received froma card purchaser. If yes, the server proceeds to 3002. If no, the serverremains at 3000.

In 3002, the system provides a prepaid card to the card purchaser. Theprepaid card can be as discussed above. The prepaid card can beredeemable for a consideration by a card recipient. The considerationcan be a product or service of value.

In 3004, the system can process the delayed payment. In one exampleembodiment, the delayed payment is processed immediately and a refundprovided later, if necessary, as discussed below.

For example, a remaining balance on the prepaid card after an expirationof a predetermined time period can be refunded. The predetermined timeperiod can be a validity period for the prepaid card, after which theprepaid card expires and cannot be redeemed.

For example, the delayed payment can be charged to a checking account ora credit card.

In 3006, the server tests whether the predetermined time period hasexpired. If yes, the server proceeds to 3008. If no, the server remainsat 3006.

In 3008, the server can refund a remaining balance. For example, theremaining balance can be refunded to the account originally processed tocharge the delayed payment.

In 3010, the server exits the procedure.

FIG. 3D illustrates a procedure for redeeming a prepaid card for adomain name. The procedure can execute on a system as illustrated above.In 3050, a server can test whether a delayed payment has been received.If yes, the server proceeds to 3052. If no, the server remains at 3052.

In 3052, the system can provide a prepaid card to a card purchaser. Theprepaid card can be as discussed above and redeemable for a domain nameregistration.

In 3054, the server tests whether an indication of redemption has beenreceived associated with the prepaid card. The prepaid card can beredeemed by a card recipient, who can be the same person as the cardpurchaser, or a separate person receiving the prepaid card from the cardpurchaser. If yes, the server proceeds to 3056. If no, the serverremains at 3054.

In 3056, the server can receive a prepaid card identifier and arequested domain name. The server can further receive domainregistration information, such as owner and technical contactinformation.

In 3058, the server can test whether the requested domain name isavailable. If yes, the server proceeds to 3060. If no, the server canoutput an error message to the card recipient and request a new domainname.

In 3060, the server can test whether the card purchaser has approved therequested domain name. For example, the system can notify the cardpurchaser of a redemption request and the requested domain name, andprovide the card purchaser with an opportunity to approve or deny theregistration.

If the registration is approved, the server proceeds to 3062. If theregistration is not approved, the server can output an error message tothe card recipient and request a new domain name.

In 3062, the server registers the requested domain name. For example,the server can interface with a registrar or with ICANN to register therequest domain name.

In 3064, the server processes the delayed payment received above. Forexample, the delayed payment can be a credit card, a debit card, achecking account, or another store of value which can be charged for theprice of the prepaid card after redemption.

In 3066, the server exits the procedure.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example data structure for storing prepaid cardinformation. Metadata associated with prepaid cards in a system asillustrated above can be stored in a data structure 400 on a storagemedium accessible to a server. The data structure 400 includes a set ofrecords 402, each record 402 representing a prepaid card and itsassociated data.

It will be appreciated that the data structure 400 can be stored in avariety of ways. For example, it can be stored as a tab delimited orcomma delimited flat file, in a relational database, in a proprietaryfile format, or another storage method accessible to a server. Differentstorage formats will provide different advantages for differentapplications, as will be appreciated. The metadata data structure can beused for accounting, auditing, fraud-detection, tracking, or otherpurposes.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example data entry for storing prepaid cardinformation. Each record 402 represent a prepaid card, as discussedabove. Each record 402 can contain a variety of metadata, such as aprepaid card identifier 404 associated with the prepaid card. Theprepaid card identifier 404 can be a unique alphanumeric sequence ofcharacters and used to identify a prepaid card.

The record 402 can also include a description 406 that is a textdescription of the consideration associated with the prepaid card. Thiscan be provided printed on a receipt after purchase of the prepaid card.

The record 402 can also include an activation field 408. As discussedabove, a prepaid card can be activated at a point of sale when purchasedby a user. Alternatively, other activation procedures can be used. Forexample, the activation process can be a security measure.

The record 402 can also include a date of sale 410. The date of sale 410can store a date of sale of the prepaid card. For example, prepaid cardscan have an expiry date calculated from the date of sale. If necessary,a sale time can also be stored if the time of sale during the day isimportant, for example, to track sales trends throughout the day.

The record 402 can also include a date of activation 412. The date ofactivation can record a date of activation of the prepaid card. Forexample, prepaid cards can have an expiration date calculated from thedate of activation. Similar to the date of sale, a time of activationcan also be stored.

The record 402 can also include a date of use 414. The date of use 414can record one or more dates on which the prepaid card was used. For aone-use prepaid card, such as a one-use domain name registration prepaidcard, there is only one date in date of use field 414. For multi-useprepaid cards, date of use field 414 will include a set of dates.Similar to the date of sale, a time of use can also be stored.

The record 402 can also include a remaining value 416. The remainingvalue 416 can record a remaining value left on the prepaid card. In oneexample, the prepaid card can be a one-use prepaid card, such as aone-use domain name registration prepaid card. In this example, theremaining value 416 decrements to zero after the first use.

In another example, the prepaid card can be a multi-use prepaid card. Inthis example, the remaining value 416 maintains a remaining value on theprepaid card.

It will be appreciated that any amount and type of metadata may beassociated with each card for other purposes.

As discussed above, one example embodiment of the present invention canbe a method for providing a prepaid card. The method includes,responsive to receiving a delayed payment at a purchase terminal,providing a prepaid card to a purchaser, the prepaid card redeemable fora consideration by a card recipient. The method includes processing thedelayed payment. The method includes responsive to an expiration of apredetermined amount of time, determine if a balance remains on theprepaid card. The method includes refunding a remaining balance to thepurchaser. The delayed payment can be processed by being charged to achecking account or a credit card. The consideration can be a product ora service. The delayed payment can include a value of the considerationand a service charge. Multiple prepaid cards can be packaged togetherfor sale as gifts for gifting to multiple gift recipients. The methodincludes, responsive to receiving a purchaser request over a network,displaying a status of the prepaid card. The remaining balance can be aprorated portion of the delayed payment dependent on a number ofredemptions of the prepaid card.

Another example embodiment of the present invention can be a method forregistering a domain name. The method includes providing a prepaid cardto a purchaser in exchange for a delayed payment, the prepaid cardfurther provided to a card recipient and redeemable for a domain nameregistration. The method includes, responsive to an indication ofredemption of the prepaid card by the card recipient, initiating adomain name registration process. The registration process includesreceiving a prepaid card identifier and a requested domain name from thecard recipient. The registration process includes verifying anavailability of the requested domain name. The registration processincludes receiving registration approval from the purchaser. Theregistration process includes registering the requested domain name. Themethod includes processing the delayed payment after the domain name hasbeen registered. The registration process can further include receivingdomain name registration information. The requested domain name anddomain name registration information can be forwarded to a domain nameregistrar for registration. The method includes offering at least oneof: a hosting service and a website design service to the card recipientafter registering the requested domain name. Multiple prepaid cards canbe packaged together for sale as gifts for gifting to multiple cardrecipients. The method includes, responsive to receiving a purchaserrequest over a network, displaying a status of the prepaid card. Aportion of the delayed payment can be refunded to the purchaser if theprepaid card is not redeemed within a predetermined time.

Another example embodiment of the present invention can be acomputer-readable medium including instructions adapted to execute amethod for providing a prepaid card. The method includes, responsive toreceiving a delayed payment at a purchase terminal, providing a prepaidcard to a purchaser, the prepaid card redeemable for a consideration bya card recipient. The method includes processing the delayed payment.The method includes responsive to an expiration of a predeterminedamount of time, determine if a balance remains on the prepaid card. Themethod includes refunding a remaining balance to the purchaser. Thedelayed payment can be processed by being charged to a checking accountor a credit card. The consideration can be a product or a service. Thedelayed payment can include a value of the consideration and a servicecharge. Multiple prepaid cards can be packaged together for sale asgifts for gifting to multiple gift recipients. The method includes,responsive to receiving a purchaser request over a network, displaying astatus of the prepaid card. The remaining balance can be a proratedportion of the delayed payment dependent on a number of redemptions ofthe prepaid card.

Another example embodiment of the present invention can be acomputer-readable medium including instructions adapted to execute amethod for registering a domain name. The method includes providing aprepaid card to a purchaser in exchange for a delayed payment, theprepaid card further provided to a card recipient and redeemable for adomain name registration. The method includes, responsive to anindication of redemption of the prepaid card by the card recipient,initiating a domain name registration process. The registration processincludes receiving a prepaid card identifier and a requested domain namefrom the card recipient. The registration process includes verifying anavailability of the requested domain name. The registration processincludes receiving registration approval from the purchaser. Theregistration process includes registering the requested domain name. Themethod includes processing the delayed payment after the domain name hasbeen registered. The registration process can further include receivingdomain name registration information. The requested domain name anddomain name registration information can be forwarded to a domain nameregistrar for registration. The method includes offering at least oneof: a hosting service and a website design service to the card recipientafter registering the requested domain name. Multiple prepaid cards canbe packaged together for sale as gifts for gifting to multiple cardrecipients. The method includes, responsive to receiving a purchaserrequest over a network, displaying a status of the prepaid card. Aportion of the delayed payment can be refunded to the purchaser if theprepaid card is not redeemed within a predetermined time.

It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the precedingexamples and embodiments are exemplary and not limiting to the scope ofthe present invention. It is intended that all permutations,enhancements, equivalents, combinations, and improvements thereto thatare apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of thespecification and a study of the drawings are included within the truespirit and scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended thatthe following appended claims include all such modifications,permutations and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

1. A method for providing a prepaid card, comprising: responsive toreceiving a delayed payment at a purchase terminal, providing a prepaidcard to a purchaser, the prepaid card redeemable for a consideration bya card recipient; processing the delayed payment; responsive to anexpiration of a predetermined amount of time, determine if a balanceremains on the prepaid card; refunding a remaining balance to thepurchaser.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the delayed payment isprocessed by being charged to a checking account or a credit card. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the consideration is a product or aservice.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the delayed payment includesa value of the consideration and a service charge.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein multiple prepaid cards are packaged together for saleas gifts for gifting to multiple gift recipients.
 6. The method of claim1, further comprising: responsive to receiving a purchaser request overa network, displaying a status of the prepaid card.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the remaining balance is a prorated portion of thedelayed payment dependent on a number of redemptions of the prepaidcard.
 8. A method for registering a domain name, comprising: providing aprepaid card to a purchaser in exchange for a delayed payment, theprepaid card further provided to a card recipient and redeemable for adomain name registration; responsive to an indication of redemption ofthe prepaid card by the card recipient, initiating a domain nameregistration process, the registration process including, receiving aprepaid card identifier and a requested domain name from the cardrecipient, verifying an availability of the requested domain name,receiving registration approval from the purchaser, registering therequested domain name; processing the delayed payment after the domainname has been registered.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein theregistration process further includes receiving domain name registrationinformation.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the requested domainname and domain name registration information are forwarded to a domainname registrar for registration.
 11. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: offering at least one of: a hosting service and a websitedesign service to the card recipient after registering the requesteddomain name.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein multiple prepaid cardsare packaged together for sale as gifts for gifting to multiple cardrecipients.
 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising: responsive toreceiving a purchaser request over a network, displaying a status of theprepaid card.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein a portion of thedelayed payment is refunded to the purchaser if the prepaid card is notredeemed within a predetermined time.
 15. A computer-readable mediumincluding instructions adapted to execute a method for providing aprepaid card, the method comprising: responsive to receiving a delayedpayment at a purchase terminal, providing a prepaid card to a purchaser,the prepaid card redeemable for a consideration by a card recipient;processing the delayed payment; responsive to an expiration of apredetermined amount of time, determine if a balance remains on theprepaid card; refunding a remaining balance.
 16. The method of claim 1,wherein account charged is a checking account or a credit card.
 17. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the consideration is a product or a service.18. The method of claim 1, wherein the delayed payment includes a valueof the consideration and a service charge.
 19. The method of claim 1,wherein multiple prepaid cards are packaged together for sale as giftsfor gifting to multiple gift recipients.
 20. The method of claim 5,further comprising: responsive to receiving a purchaser request over anetwork, displaying a status of the prepaid card.